Emma spent the next week talking to everyone.
Her board members. Her mentors. The women in her mom group who had no idea what Phoenix Ventures was worth but understood the struggle of balancing ambition with motherhood.
She made lists. Pros and cons. Financial projections. Life-impact assessments.
She went to therapy and talked through her fears with Dr. Chen.
"What are you afraid of?" Dr. Chen asked during their emergency session.
"Making the wrong choice."
"There's no wrong choice here, Emma. Both options are good. That's what's making this so hard."
Emma slumped in her chair. "I built Phoenix to prove something. To prove I could survive James leaving. That I was more than his discarded wife."
"And have you proven that?"
"I think so. Yes."
"So what would Phoenix be about now? I
